Princess Anne surprises in cut-out jacket from when she was 15 at Nigerian state banquet

The Princess Royal joined her brother, King Charles, at the Nigerian state banquet on Wednesday in an outfit that may look familiar to long-term royal fans.

Princess Anne, 75, was seen wearing a longline cream coat made from a ribbed material and featuring cut-outs on the sleeves. Proving her sustainability credentials, the royal chose a jacket that she first wore 57 years ago to an event in 1969. 

A 2026 glow-up

At the time, the only daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth was just 15, and she wore the coat to attend the world premiere of Run Wild, Run Free in aid of the Textiles Benevolent Association at the Odeon Leicester Square in London. At the time, she styled it with a maxi dress with the same cut-out detailing.

© Alamy Stock Photo

However, for her state banquet appearance earlier this week, Anne seemed to have modernised the jacket, removing the high, embellished neckline and adding a simple collar. Elsewhere in her look, the princess opted for a pair of white pointed-toe heels and, in true banquet style, an array of heirloom jewels.

Princess Anne’s state banquet jewels

Princess Andrew’s Meander Tiara adorned her head, a piece which is also known as the Greek Key Tiara. It belonged to Prince Philip‘s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, who was given it as a wedding present upon her marriage to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark in 1903.

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Anne also donned Queen Mary’s City of London Choker and the King Charles Royal Family Order. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla wore Queen Elizabeth’s Sapphire Parure tiara, the Princess of Wales sported the Lover’s Knot tiara, and the Duchess of Gloucester opted for the Iveagh tiara.

Princess Anne’s race day fashion

The banquet wasn’t the only public royal reunion of the month, as Queen Camilla and Princess Anne were also seen catching up at the Cheltenham Festival on 11 March.

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Joined in a box with Prince William‘s mother-in-law, Carole Middleton, Anne looked quietly elegant in the ‘Ladies Tweed Longline Raglan Coat in Bottle Melange’ by House of Bruar, as identified by Royal British Fashion on Instagram.

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She styled it with patent knee-high boots, as well as a silk printed neck scarf, black leather gloves, and a handbag to match. The following day, she opted for a navy House of Bruar coat and once again proved she loves to recycle by taking out her ‘Victoria Bag’ from Aspinal of London, which she added to her wardrobe in 2013.